Hatchell approaches another milestone

Published: Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 01:57 AM.

The Tar Heels topped No. 20 Florida State on Thursday night to raise the stakes for the first of two regular-season collisions with Duke.

Hatchell has collected some special moments in the series with Duke. There have been periods of frustration as well in matchups with the Blue Devils.

True to form, she figures this is the ideal situation for this next clash.

Hatchell, who turns 61 at the end of the month, said she’s thrilled to be guiding a team that has growing confidence and players who have a grasp on enjoying themselves in college basketball. That means she’s fully engaged in coaching, with no end in sight.

She said she’s fortunate "to have such a passion and be so enthused about where I am. I don’t know many people who would be enjoying their life and their job as much as I am. I feel I’ve got several more years in me. I’m fired up about this team now and the future."

The growth of women’s basketball has coincided with Hatchell’s rise on all-time lists.

"I think it’s unbelievable," North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams said. "Off the charts to have that kind of longevity. I can’t even perceive that kind of thing."

North Carolina women’s basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell is on the verge of another historical marker. Only two women’s coaches in the history of the sport have climbed to the 900-win plateau.

Hatchell is one rung away and the first chance to reach the mark comes this afternoon against visiting Duke, which is ranked No. 5 and sits one spot ahead of North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings.

Praise is being heaped on Hatchell, not to mention she has directed a team with little national expectations into the limelight again.

"It’s not about that. It’s not about me, while I appreciate that," she said. "It’s about a college basketball experience and there’s not a better college basketball experience than playing in a Carolina / Duke game."

And probably no better forum for Hatchell and the Tar Heels.

"I wanted to be part of something special and I think (900) will be special to Carolina and to Coach Hatchell," said North Carolina senior guard Tierra Ruffin-Pratt.

The Tar Heels topped No. 20 Florida State on Thursday night to raise the stakes for the first of two regular-season collisions with Duke.

Hatchell has collected some special moments in the series with Duke. There have been periods of frustration as well in matchups with the Blue Devils.

True to form, she figures this is the ideal situation for this next clash.

Hatchell, who turns 61 at the end of the month, said she’s thrilled to be guiding a team that has growing confidence and players who have a grasp on enjoying themselves in college basketball. That means she’s fully engaged in coaching, with no end in sight.

She said she’s fortunate "to have such a passion and be so enthused about where I am. I don’t know many people who would be enjoying their life and their job as much as I am. I feel I’ve got several more years in me. I’m fired up about this team now and the future."

The growth of women’s basketball has coincided with Hatchell’s rise on all-time lists.

"I think it’s unbelievable," North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams said. "Off the charts to have that kind of longevity. I can’t even perceive that kind of thing."

Hatchell has had a habit of reaching milestone victories against rivals. Her Nos. 500, 600, 700 and 800 all came against North Carolina State. A rematch with N.C. State this season is seven games away, so the Tar Heels would prefer that specific trend ceases.

Beating Duke today would be plenty good enough.

"I’d be lying if I said it didn’t matter," Hatchell said of the opportunity that has presented itself this weekend.

The Tar Heels have taken notice.

"It would be a great way to cap off the 900th win," senior forward Krista Gross said, "especially because Duke is so good this year and nobody expected us to be this good. We really want to get this win for Coach Hatchell and to get it against Duke more than anything."

Hatchell, who has been ambassador for the women’s brand of basketball and an advocate for a fast-paced style that’s more fan-friendly, has embraced rivalries. She sees these matchups as another opportunity to promote the women’s game.

"I think (for) Duke and State, the pregame speeches are a little more intense," Ruffin-Pratt said.

It’s days like this that keep Hatchell pumped up. She’s regularly on hand for North Carolina’s men’s games — as she was a few rows behind the team bench Saturday afternoon. She appreciates the good rivalries.

"It’s as good as probably playing in the Super Bowl," Hatchell said, "because (North Carolina / Duke) is the Super Bowl of college athletics."

Hatchell said she expected a house full of guests Saturday night, telling them to bring sleeping bags, too. So there’s a gathering of well wishers anticipating a milestone if the Tar Heels can pull off an upset.

Yet Hatchell planned to go about a normal routine for a Sunday game. She’ll attend church, making the preacher aware she’ll slip out early.

"The reason I’m able to be at 899 is the balance that I have," she said. "It’s not life or death. Even though it’s Carolina and Duke, it’s not life or death. … I’ve coached more 1,200 games. I’ll be the same I’ve always been."

Hatchell is the winningest active women’s coach in Division I. Only former Tennessee coach Pat Summitt and Texas legend Jody Conradt have passed the 900 mark.

It has been going so well this season for the Tar Heels that they’re ready for another big moment.

"We’re excited about the season in general," Hatchell said. "We know we have our hands full, but we’re up to the challenge."